Scottish Mythology - Banshee / Bwbachod

Banshee

The prophet of death is a beautiful woman who died young.  If many banshees are seen at once, then something terrible is about to happen.


Barguest

Like the Banshee, it once appeared when someone important was going to die.  It is also like the Hedley Kow in that it can change its shape.  It is generally unlucky to see it.


Bauchan

Sometimes helpful and sometimes playful, the Bauchan might associate itself with a specific individual.


Bean-nighe

Like the Irish banshees, in the Highlands of Scotland these are prophets of death.


Bendith y Mamau

These are very ugly fairies who like to steal mortal children and leave their Changelings in place of them.


Billy Blind

He is a helpful Hobgoblin who is very loyal and helpful to his chosen family.


Black Annis

She was a real charmer in that she was hideously ugly, cannibalistic, and her howls could be heard for miles.


Black Dogs

Stories of black dogs are quite common and most of them are bad.  Some black dogs will protect travelers against thieves.


Blue Burches

He was a hobgoblin who played harmless pranks until he was chased into a pond by a parson.  He may have become an Each Uisge after that.


Blue-Cap

This is one of the many varieties of mine Brownies but is friendly and a very hard worker.


Blue Men of the Minch

Their colors came from their tattoos and they like to swim out to passing ships to sink them.


Bockles

See Knockers.


Bodach

This is the Brownie found in the Highlands of Scotland.


Bogan

See also Bauchan


Boggart

This is a brownie who has turned to mischief, possibly because he has been teased by the family he has chosen.


Bogies

Delighting in tormenting mortals, bogies can be very dangerous.

See also Unseelie Court.


Bogles

In Scotland, a bogie is generally only dangerous to evil-doers.


Brag

Like the Hedley Kow or the Dunnie, the Brag can change its shape.  It generally prefers to appear as a horse as it seems to be able to do the most mischief this way.


Brown Man of the Muirs

He is a dwarf who guards the animals of the forests and is capable of killing a mortal who harms one of 'his' creatures.


Brownie

Brownies are quite willing to work for a family during the night so long as they receive a good meal for their services.  However, they may leave if they are criticized.

See also Pixies.


Bucca

He sometimes helped fishermen if he was given a fish and some ale.  Mothers also used to warn children about him so there were clearly good ones and bad ones.


Buggane

Pending


Buttery Spirits

Since they cannot eat quality food, Buttery Spirits live only in places where innkeepers are watering the wine and serving sub-standard food.  They were very bad news for crooked innkeepers and they were would sometimes leave them in the stable with a feedbag over the head.


Bwbachod

These are the Brownies of Wales.


Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.